of the recession, Government figures show.

Arrivals for the week of September 20-26 showed a 12 percent rise over the same week last year.

With cruise passenger numbers nearly 1,300 higher than the same week last year, the tourist industry scored an overall 10.9 percent rise in numbers.

Cruise ships continued to carry passengers loads at or near capacity, with the regular callers all in the 90 to 100 percent range except for the Dreamward at 83.9 percent capacity.

Cruise arrivals are running 15 percent ahead of last year.